ABSTRACT:
The local traditional practitioner of Central India uses Ficus glomerata for the treatment of diabetes, liver diseases, diarrhoea, piles, asthma, leprosy and other ailments. The previous studies acquitted on Ficus glomerata are not sufficient for fully understand about the safety, bioactive component and pharmacological properties. In the present study, we planned to isolate and characterize the flavonoids present in Ficus glomerata leaves, and to evaluate its antihyperglycemic effect. Six compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of Ficus glomerata leaves by using column chromatography. The structure of the isolated compound was elucidated by interpretation of FTIR, 'H-NMR, "C-NMR and mass spectrometry: and by comparison of their spectral data with those reported in the literature. The antihyperglycemic activity of isolated compound was evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The compound IV was characterized as 3-methoxy-5,7,5- trihydroxyflavone. Oral administrations of the isolated compound at doses of 25 mg/kg body weight, significantly decreased serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein level, while increased in high density lipoprotein level in diabetic rats. The findings demonstrated that novel compound 3-methoxy-5,7,5'-trihydroxyflavone was isolated from methanol extract and exhibited significant antihyperglycemic activity. Further it implies that the flavonoid was responsible for the antihyperglycemic activity previously ascertained from the Ficus glomerata extract.